Keith Martindale serves as Paris' July 4 parade grand marshal

PARIS — Longtime radio host and local leader Keith Martindale embraced the role of grand marshal at this year's Fourth of July parade in Paris, Idaho.

Martindale and his wife Marilyn had fun sporting their own float in the parade, waving and tossing candy to all the parade-goers. Martindale said it felt like there were thousands of people there. Among those people were Martindale's children, who came from across Idaho and out of state to see him and Marilyn in the parade.

"I didn't hesitate when they asked me to be grand marshal," Martindale said. "I always try to serve and be involved in community things. It was just a lot of fun."

In his peak radio days, Martindale was known as the "Voice of the Valley" for his work at KVSI Radio. He spent six decades as an on-air personality before retiring on July 31, 2018.

He started working in radio in 1957 not long after he graduated from Pocatello High School. His first on-air job was at KBLI in Blackfoot. He later had short stints at KTLE-TV in Pocatello and KRDG Radio in Redding, California.

In 1966, Martindale moved his wife and young family to Montpelier, Idaho, where he ultimately became sole owner and operator of KVSI Radio. It was this job, coupled with his lively on-air presence, that made him a fixture on the local radio.

Notably, though, Martindale's talents were not contained to radio.

He was master of ceremonies for many local events over the years, including the Miss Bear Lake Pageant, the county fair, parades, and programs at the Oregon/California Trail Center. He also served as a Bear Lake County commissioner for 12 years starting in 1989.

Martindale suspects his local service and involvement in community events is what prompted the parade organizers to ask him to be this year's grand marshal.

"People always come back to Bear Lake for the Fourth of July," he said. "We got to see several different groups of people. It was just a really good experience."